John Taylor's Revelations: September 27, 1886

Revelation Received Monday, September 27, 1886, at Centerville, Utah Territory.  (John Taylor Papers, LDS Archives).  The LDS Church denies the validity of this revelation.  Also, Elder Melvin J. Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained in 1934:  “If the Lord had wanted plural marriage to continue according to the interpretations some [Fundamentalists] give of President Taylor’s [1886] revelation, He would have allowed President Taylor to have lived and enforced it but He took him and raised up President Wilford Woodruff who was inspired to give the Manifesto" (Letter dated 31 December 1934.  Musser, Ballard-Jenson Correspondence, 27).  Notwithstanding that the LDS Church denies this revelation, it is herein reported, solely for historical and educational purposes:

My son John: You have asked Me concerning the
New and Everlasting covenant-- how far it is
binding upon my people.
2 Thus saith the LORD: All commandments that I
give must be obeyed by those calling themselves
by My name unless they are revoked by Me or by
My authority;
3 And how can I revoke an everlasting
covenant?
4 For I the LORD am everlasting and My
everlasting covenants cannot be abrogated nor
done away with; but they stand forever.
5 Have I not given My word in great plainness
on this subject?
6 Yet have not great numbers of My people been
negligent in the observance of My law and the
keeping of My commandment;
7 And yet have I borne with them these many
years, and this because of their weakness because
of the perilous times;
8 And furthermore, it is more pleasing to Me
that men should use their free agency in regard
to these matters.
9 Nevertheless I the LORD do not change, and
My word and My covenants and My law do not.
10 And as I have heretofore said by My servant
Joseph Smith: All those who would enter into my
glory must and shall obey My law;
11 And have I not commanded men that if they
were Abraham's seed and would enter into My
glory, they must do the works of Abraham?
12 I have not revoked this law, nor will I, for it is
everlasting-- and those who will enter into My
glory must obey the conditions thereof;
Even so, Amen.

John Taylor's Revelations: Christmas Day, 1884

Revelation Received Thursday, December 25, 1884, at Salt Lake City, Utah Territory.  (John Taylor Papers, LDS Archives):

There are some things that ought to be put right.
2 Some time ago there was word given for the
brethren and their families to put themselves in
order before the LORD;
3 And it is necessary that these things should be
carried out, for there has been a negligence in
some of these matters;
4 And if My people and priesthood desire My
blessing and guidance and protection, they must
and shall be subject to My law.
5 And it is necessary that the various quorums of
the Priesthood should place themselves right
before Me, saith the LORD;
6 And that as individuals they should place
themselves in that position, for if they do not they
have no claim upon My blessing or My
protection.
7 A day of trouble and anxiety and sorrow and
judgment will soon overtake this nation, and
other nations-- it is nigh at hand.
8 And the inhabitants of Zion must purge
themselves from iniquity, folly, covetousness, and
vanity, and listen to and obey My laws, or they cannot have My protection--
for I the LORD will not be mocked.
9 But the wrongdoer shall receive the just
recompense of reward; and the sinners in Zion
shall be afraid;
10 And fearfulness shall also take hold of the
wicked and the ungodly that are in your midst.
11 And if you, My people, obey My law, and
keep My commandments to do them, not in name
only, but in reality, I will be your shield and
protector, and your strong tower-- and no man
shall be able to hurt you, for I will be your
defense.
12 Therefore, humble yourselves before Me, and
purify yourselves that your acts and doings may
be acceptable before Me.
13 For if you do not, you will share in the
condemnation of the wicked.
14 Therefore, listen to the counsels of those
whom I have appointed, and seek not your own
will and way, but the will of the Lord your God.
15 For by Him only can you be sustained in the
time of trouble which is fast approaching.
Even so, Amen.

John Taylor's Revelations: May 1884

Revelation Received in May, 1884, at Logan, Utah Territory.  (John Taylor Papers, LDS Archives).  The Logan Utah Temple had just been officially dedicated, and President Taylor sought the Lord's will concerning the furnishings and dedication of the House of the Lord:

As thou hast asked Me concerning this temple,
thus saith the LORD: I accept this house which
thou hast built;
2 And also the labors of the Committee, the
Superintendent, and the Architect thereof, and of
those who have in anywise contributed to the
building or beautifying the same, by their labor
or by their means;
3 And inasmuch as it shall be preserved pure
and not by defiled, My presence shall be there,
even the power of My Spirit, the Gift of the Holy
Ghost; which shall in this house hereafter be
more fully understood;
4 And I will acknowledge the ordinances which
shall be administered therein, both for the living
and the dead;
5 And My blessings shall attend the
administration of the ordinances, and shall rest
upon those who administer therein, inasmuch as
they comply with the order of My house, and act
with purity and singleness of heart before Me,
according to My word, My ordinances and My
law;
6 And this house shall be a house of prayer, a
house of learning, a house of God, wherein many
great principles pertaining to the past, to the
present, and the future shall be revealed.
7 And My word and My will be made known,
and the laws of the universe, pertaining to this
world and other worlds be developed;
8 For in these houses which have been built unto
Me, and which shall be built, I will reveal the
abundance of those things pertaining to the past,
the present, and the future--
9 To the life that now is, and the life that is to
come, pertaining to law, order, rule, dominion,
and government; to things affecting this nation
and other nations.
10 The laws of the heavenly bodies in their times
and seasons, and the principles or laws by which
they are governed, and their relation to each
other, and whether they be bodies Celestial,
Terrestrial, or Telestial shall all be made known as
I will, saith the LORD.
11 For it is My will and My purpose to place My
people in closer communion with the heavens,
inasmuch as they will purify themselves and
observe more diligently My law;
12 For it is in Mine heart to greatly bless and
exalt My people, and to build up, exalt, and
beautify My Zion, inasmuch as they shall observe
My law.
Even so, Amen.

John Taylor's Revelations: April 28th, 1883

Revelation Received through John Taylor on Saturday, April 28, 1883, at Salt Lake City, Utah Territory.  (John Taylor Papers, LDS Archives):

You have asked Me why your mind was confused
and dull within the last two days.
2 Verily thus saith the LORD, by the whisperings
of His Spirit, and the still small voice, that the
arrangement which you have contemplated with
My servant Thomas is not acceptable to Me.
3 He should have listened to your offer, which
would have been profitable to himself and
acceptable to Me.
4 When you rejected his offer, you did right, and
My Spirit was with you.
5 But when you, in your zeal to show that you
had faith in Me and in My word, accepted
propositions and assumed responsibilities which
were not in accordance with the order that I
showed you, you did wrong, and I withdrew My
Spirit.
6 For it is forbidden My Presidency to go into
debt unless I, the LORD, command it; for these
things lead to confusion and bondage.
7 Besides, have I not shown unto you, My
servant John, a way to raise a fund which should
be at your disposal for the accomplishment of My
purposes? --And by which the rights and
properties of My people should be preserved in
all of these matters?
8 You must abide by this principle.
9 My servant Thomas does not understand this
matter.
10 Confer with him on this subject, and if he can
see these things and follow counsel, he shall assist
you in the developments contemplated.
11 For you, nor My servant George Q. Cannon,
cannot attend to these details;
12 But if he, Thomas, cannot enter freely into
this matter without restraint, then shall you
arrange with him according to wisdom, and
withdraw from the consummation of the
contemplated arrangement.
13 Behold, I have shown unto you many things,
and I will continue to make know unto you My
will, from time to time, on things temporal as
well as spiritual; things pertaining to My church,
My kingdom, and My Zion.
14 And you shall be My mouthpiece, saith the
LORD, and I will greatly bless you, and lift you
up, and exalt you, saith the LORD;
15 For your words and works are acceptable
unto Me, and I know of your zeal and integrity in
My cause, and you shall be made a blessing to My
people, and your name shall be honored in Israel,
and in this nation, and among the nations of the
earth; for they that honor Me, I will honor.
16 And I will also greatly bless My servant
George Q. Cannon, who is acceptable before Me,
and who is exceedingly desirous to do My will.
17 And I will also bless My servant Joseph F.
Smith, whose heart and spirit are right before
Me, and who is also desirous to fulfill My law;
18 And these your counselors shall be greatly
blessed with you;
19 And you shall be My mouthpiece unto them,
and I will show unto them My will from time to
time.
20 And you shall be one in spiritual things and
also in temporal things in due time.
21 And I will show unto My people, and unto
the world, that this world is Mine, and that I
created it by My power--
22 And the gold and silver and copper and brass
and iron and riches and precious things thereof,
and all that pertains thereunto are Mine--
23 And My people shall know that they are
Mine, and that they live in Me, and move and
exist in Me, and have their being from Me,
24 And that all which they possess is Mine, and
is obtained of Me, and that they are, and can only
be, stewards over that which I have given unto
them to possess, and which they could not have
only of Me and by Me;
25 Whether it relates to this earth and the
fullness thereof-- to wives, children, and friends,
to gold, silver, houses, lands, riches and
possessions pertaining thereto-- or to thrones,
principalities, powers, dominions and exaltations
in My eternal kingdoms.
26 And My Presidency shall be one, and the
Twelve shall be one, and the Presidencies of
Stakes and the High Councils shall be one.
27 And all of My holy priesthood in their several
quorums, standings, offices, and positions shall
be one, and all of My priesthood shall be united
as one.
28 And they shall be one with My people, and
My people shall be one with them.
29 And I will be one with them, and be their
God.
30 Let every person, therefore, be diligent and
act in their several positions, callings or
priesthood, and honor and magnify the same, and
honor and obey Me, the Lord their God, and
respect and obey the counsels of My holy
priesthood, and I will honor and exalt them, saith
the LORD, in time and throughout eternity.
31 And as it regards My servant John Taylor, it is
not necessary for him to attend to the minutia or
details of either spiritual or temporal things, but
only to give general directions, or as I may
manifest from time to time.
32 And his counselors are to be his assistants--
and the First Presidency shall call upon the
Twelve, the presidents of stakes, the bishops, and
others to assist in these duties.
33 And I will raise up wise and prudent men,
from time to time, to assist in temporal as well as
spiritual things, for they are all one with Me.
34 And then let the Twelve call upon the
Seventies, and let the high priests, the councils,
the elders, and bishops and the lesser priesthood,
and all who labor for Zion, be diligent and
obedient.
35 And let every man put in his sickle and reap,
and fulfill and magnify his calling, office or
Priesthood.
36 These things belong to My priesthood, but
more properly to the School of the Prophets.
37 Let the School of the Prophets be organized,
even all such as are worthy.
38 But if they are found unworthy, they shall not
have a place in My school-- for I will be honored
by My priesthood;
39 And let My laws be made known unto them
as may be deemed expedient.

John Taylor's Revelations: April 14, 1883

Revelation Received through John Taylor on Saturday, April, 14, 1883, at Salt Lake City, Utah Territory.  (John Taylor Papers, LDS Archives; see also Messages of the First Presidency 2:354).  This revelation is a continuation of the revelation previously received in October 1882.  Both the October Revelation and this one further organize the Quorums of the Seventies, with President Taylor asking, "Show unto us Thy will, O Lord, concerning the organization of the Seventies.":


What ye have written is My will, and is
acceptable unto Me:
2 And furthermore: Thus saith the LORD unto
the First Presidency, unto the Twelve, unto the
Seventies and unto all My holy Priesthood, let not
your hearts be troubled, neither be ye concerned
about the management and organization of My
Church and Priesthood and the accomplishment
of My work.
3 Fear Me and observe My laws and I will reveal
unto you, from time to time, through the
channels that I have appointed, everything that
shall be necessary for the future development and
perfection of My church,
4 For the adjustment and rolling forth of My
kingdom, and for the building up and the
establishment of My Zion.
5 For ye are My Priesthood and I am your God.
Even so. Amen.

John Taylor's Revelations: October 13, 1882

Revelation Received Friday, October 13, 1882, at the Gardo House, Salt Lake City, Utah Territory.  (John Taylor Papers, LDS Archives; see also Messages of the First Presidency, 2:348).  "This revelation dealt with Church organizational matters, including the call of three men to fill vacancies in the leading quorums of the Church.  When the First Presidency was reorganized in October 1880, John Taylor called Francis M. Lyman and John Henry Smith to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.  However, this still left one vacancy in the Quorum.  A second vacancy occurred when Orson Pratt died on October 3, 1881.  Church leaders struggled to identify two men to fill these vacancies, resulting in no callings at either the April or October 1882 general conferences.  On Friday, October 13, President Taylor received a revelation on the subject" (Holzapfel and Jones, "'John the Revelator': The Written Revelations of John Taylor", BYU Religious Studies Center, http://rsc.byu.edu/archived/champion-liberty-john-taylor/11-%E2%80%9Cjohn-revelator%E2%80%9D-written-revelations-john-taylor#_edn1).  Herein Elder Heber J. Grant is called by revelation to fill one of the three vacancies.  Grant would later become the seventh President of the Church, serving from 1918-1945:

Thus saith the LORD to the Twelve, and to the
Priesthood and people of My Church:
2 Let My servants George Teasdale and Heber J.
Grant be appointed to fill the vacancies in the
Twelve, that you may be fully organized and
prepared for the labors devolving upon you, for
you have a great work to perform;
3 And then proceed to fill up the presiding
quorum of Seventies, and assist in organizing that
body of My Priesthood who are your co-laborers
in the ministry.
4 You may appoint Seymour B. Young to fill up
the vacancy in the presiding quorum of Seventies,
if he will conform to My law;
5 For it is not meet that men who will not abide
My law shall preside over My Priesthood;
6 And then proceed forthwith and call to your
aid any assistance that you may require from
among the Seventies to assist you in your labors
in introducing and maintaining the Gospel
among the Lamanites throughout the land.
7 And then let High Priests be selected, under the
direction of the First Presidency, to preside over
the various organizations that shall exist among
this people;
8 That those who receive the Gospel may be
taught in the doctrines of My Church and in the
ordinances and laws thereof, and also in the
things pertaining to My Zion and My Kingdom,
saith the LORD, that they may be one with you in
My Church and My Kingdom.
9 Let the Presidency of My Church be one in all
things; and let the Twelve also be one in all
things; and let them all be one with Me as I am
one with the Father.
10 And let the High Priests organize themselves,
and purify themselves, and prepare themselves
for this labor, and for all other labors that they
may be called upon to fulfill.
11 And let the Presidents of Stakes also purify
themselves, and the Priesthood and people of the
Stakes over which they preside,
12 And organize the Priesthood in their various
Stakes according to My law, in all the various
departments thereof, in the High Councils, in the
Elders Quorums, and in the Bishops and their
Councils, and in the Quorums of Priests, Teachers
and Deacons--
13 That every Quorum may be fully organized
according to the order of My Church;
14 And, then, let them inquire into the standing
and fellowship of all that hold My Holy
Priesthood in their several Stakes;
15 And if they find those that are unworthy let
them remove them, except they repent.
16 For My Priesthood, whom I have called and
whom I have sustained and honored, shall honor
Me and obey My laws, and the laws of My Holy
Priesthood, or they shall not be considered
worthy to hold My Priesthood, saith the LORD.
17 And let my Priesthood humble themselves
before Me, and seek not their own will but My
will;
18 For if My Priesthood whom I have chosen,
and called, and endowed with the spirit and gifts
of their several callings, and with the powers
thereof, do not acknowledge Me I will not
acknowledge them, saith the LORD; for I will be
honored and obeyed by My Priesthood.
19 And, then, I call upon My Priesthood, and
upon all of My people to repent of all their sins
and shortcomings, of their covetousness and
pride and self will, and of all their iniquities
wherein they sin against Me;
20 And to seek with all humility to fulfill My
law, as My Priesthood, My Saints, and My people;
21 And I call upon the heads of families to put
their houses in order according to the law of God,
and attend to the various duties and
responsibilities associated therewith, and to
purify themselves before Me, and to purge out
iniquity from their households. And I will bless
and be with you, saith the LORD;
22 And ye shall gather together in your holy
places wherein ye assemble to call upon Me, and
ye shall ask for such things as are right,
23 And I will hear your prayers, and My Spirit
and power shall be with you, and My blessing
shall rest upon you, upon your families, your
dwellings and your households, upon your flocks
and herds and fields, your orchards and
vineyards, and upon all that pertains to you;
24 And you shall be My people and I will be
your God;
25 And your enemies shall not have dominion
over you, for I will preserve you and confound
them, saith the LORD, and they shall not have
power nor dominion over you;
26 For My word shall go forth, and My work
shall be accomplished, and My Zion shall be
established, and My rule and My power and My
dominion shall prevail among My people, and all
nations shall yet acknowledge Me.
Even so, Amen.

John Taylor's Revelations: June 28, 1882

Revelation Received on June 28, 1882, at Salt Lake City, Utah Territory.  (John Taylor Papers, LDS Archives).  "This revelation reassured the leaders of the [Council of Fifty] and of the Church that the Lord controls the destiny of nations, his Church, and his kingdom" (Holzapfel and Jones, "'John the Revelator': The Written Revelations of John Taylor", BYU Religious Studies Center, http://rsc.byu.edu/archived/champion-liberty-john-taylor/11-%E2%80%9Cjohn-revelator%E2%80%9D-written-revelations-john-taylor#_edn1).


Am I not King of kings, and Lord of lords?
2 Do I not rule in the heavens above and in the
earth beneath, as I will, saith the LORD?
3 And though men do not acknowledge Me, yet
do I control them; and I will control them
according to My will and purposes;
4 And I will make use of the kings of the earth,
and the rulers and powers of the earth to
accomplish My purposes, saith the Lord God your
Redeemer-- and none shall stay My hand.
5 And I will build up My kingdom as I have
heretofore decreed and made known through the
mouth of Mine holy prophets, so far as they have
declared My purposes pertaining thereto;
6 And I have many other things to make known
and to proclaim relative to My church, and to My
kingdom, and to the building up of My Zion on
the earth.
7 Behold, you are My kingdom, and rulers in My
kingdom, and then you are also, many of you,
rulers in My church according to your
ordinations therein.
8 For are you not of the First Presidency, and of
the Twelve Apostles, and some Presidents of
Stakes, and some bishops, and some high priests
and some seventies and elders therein?
9 And are ye not all of My church, and belong to
My holy Priesthood?
10 And then are ye not all of My kingdom, and
do you not belong to My kingdom, and are ye not
the representatives thereof, even My
constitution?
11 And am I not your God, even your Redeemer
and your King?
12 Behold, I have told you to do as I command
you, and have I not a right to dictate in the affairs
of My kingdom?
13 And is it not incumbent upon you to obey Me
as your LORD, your lawgiver, and your King?
14 Behold thus saith the LORD, I will be obeyed
by My council, and if they do not acknowledge
Me, I will not acknowledge them, saith the Lord
of Hosts, the God and King of the whole earth.
15 Speaking of My church, behold I established
My church that I might reveal unto them My
word, and My will, and the law of the Gospel,
and the order of the Holy priesthood.
17 And I set in order My priesthood, even the
Aaronic and Melchizedek;
17 And I have sent forth Mine elders to the
world to preach this gospel of the kingdom to all
people and to gather Mine elect from among all
nations.
18 That a people might be prepared through My
gospel, through the manifestation of My Spirit,
even the Spirit of Truth, the Gift of the Holy
Ghost, the Comforter, and through the teachings
of My holy priesthood, and the revelations of My
will, to comprehend the law of My gospel;
19 To be one with each other, and to be one with
Me as I am one with the Father.
20 To comprehend and obey the principles of
righteousness, virtue, holiness, purity, and the
love and fear of God;
21 And to assist in building My Zion unto Me,
saith the Lord of Hosts, and to prepare for the
salvation and redemption of the world, even the
living and the dead.
22 And again, it required this gospel, this
priesthood, this revelation, this unity, this Spirit,
to introduce the kingdom of God, the law of God,
the authority and dominion of God, that the will
of God might be done on earth as it is done in
heaven.
23 I rule now among the nations, but not by
their consent, and the rulers of the earth do not
know Me or My law, nor recognize My
authority.
24 They have their free agency and use it; so
have also My people, and they use their agency
through My gospel to serve Me, to obey My law,
and to build up My church and kingdom.
25 For outside of My church there is no people
on the earth who will listen to My law.
26 And if there was no people who would listen
to My law, how could I have a kingdom, and how
could I be their ruler?
27 I have established My kingdom to be a shield
and protection to My church, to learn and
comprehend My law, and to carry out My
purposes, that My will may be done on earth as it
is done in heaven;
28 The church through the law and Spirit of the
gospel to preserve the virtue and purity of the
kingdom.
29 And the kingdom to preserve and protect the
church from the aggressions of the wicked and
ungodly.
30 And behold, I do not want My own will, but
the will of My Father;
31 The same is My Father and My God, and your
Father and your God, and we are One: I in Him,
and you in Me.
32 Am I and My Father with the church? Yes.
33 Am I not your God, your Ahman Christ? You
so acknowledge Me.
34 My Father is King of kings, and Lord of lords.
35 I rule as My Father directs Me, and if ye rule
and direct according to My will, under the
direction of My servant who is your President
and head, are we not one, and is it not the rule
and government of God?
36 And any kingdom, or government, or
dominion that is not under My direction, and
does not acknowledge Me, I will not
acknowledge, saith the Lord of Hosts;
37 And if they fight against Me and My laws,
and My church, and My kingdom, they shall be
overthrown in Mine own due time, for I have so
decreed.
Even so, Amen.

John Taylor's Revelations: June 27, 1882

Revelation Received Tuesday, June 27, 1882, at Salt Lake City, Utah Territory.  (John Taylor Papers, LDS Archives).  "It specifically addresses the Council of Fifty, a political council established by Joseph Smith in March 1844" (Holzapfel and Jones, "'John the Revelator': The Written Revelations of John Taylor", BYU Religious Studies Center, http://rsc.byu.edu/archived/champion-liberty-john-taylor/11-%E2%80%9Cjohn-revelator%E2%80%9D-written-revelations-john-taylor#_edn1).:


Verily, thus saith the LORD, I have instituted My
kingdom and My laws, with the keys and power
thereof.
2 And have appointed you as My spokesmen and
My constitution, with President John Taylor at
your head, whom I have appointed to My church
and My kingdom as Prophet, Seer, and Revelator,
unto My church and unto My kingdom-- and to
preside over My church and over My kingdom,
and to be My mouthpiece unto My church and
unto My kingdom.
3 And I will honor him, and he shall speak forth
the words that I will reveal unto him from time to
time by the whispering of My Spirit, by the
revelation of My will and My word, or by Mine
own voice as I will, saith the LORD;
4 And ye shall listen to his words as My words,
saith the Lord your God.
5 Thus saith the Lord God who rules in the
heavens above, and in the earth beneath: I have
introduced My kingdom and My government,
even the kingdom of God that My servants have
heretofore prophesied of--
6 And that I taught My disciples to pray for,
saying, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on
earth as it is in heaven."
7 For the establishment of My rule, for the
introduction of My law, for the protecting of My
church, and for the maintenance, promulgation,
and protection of civil and religious liberty in this
nation and throughout the world.
8 And all men of every nation, color, and creed
shall yet be protected and shielded thereby;
9 And every nation, kindred, and people, and
tongue shall yet bow the knee to Me, and
acknowledge Me to be Ahman Christ, to the glory
of God the Father.
10 And My law, and My rule, and My dominion
shall extend over the whole earth, and no one
shall stay My hand, or question my authority;
11 For I rule by right, in the heavens above and
in the earth; and My right, and My rule and My
dominion shall yet be known and extended to all
people.
12 And now behold, I speak unto you through
My servant John, whom you have acknowledged
and shall acknowledge as My spokesman: Thus
saith the Lord God, the Maker of heaven and
earth, the ruler of the universe, whose right it is
to rule in the heavens above, and in the earth
beneath;
13 Behold, I raised up My servant Joseph Smith
to introduce My gospel, and to build up My
church, and establish My kingdom on the earth.
14 And I gave unto him wisdom, and knowledge,
and revelation, and intelligence pertaining to the
past, the present and the future, even to that
extent which was not known among men;
15 And I endowed him with power from on
high, and conferred upon him the priesthood of
Aaron, and also the Priesthood of Melchizedek,
which is after the order of the Son of God, even
the holiest of all, and after the power of an
endless life- and administereth forever in this
world and the world to come.
16 He was called and ordained to this office
before the world was; he was called by Me, and
empowered by Me, and sustained by Me to
introduce and establish My church and kingdom
upon the earth--
17 And to be a Prophet, Seer, and Revelator to
My church and kingdom; and to be a King and
Ruler over Israel.
18 He was slain for the testimony of Jesus, and
for the word of God; but he yet lives, and is with
Me where I am.
19 And now I speak unto you who are members
of this council, and of My kingdom, and I say
unto you, as I said unto My disciples of old: Ye
have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you.
20 I called you by My servant Joseph, and by My
servant Brigham, and by My servant John.
21 You did not teach and instruct Me; but I have
taught and instructed you, and organized you
according to My eternal laws.
22 Ye are My constitution, and I am your God.
23 And I will be acknowledged; and My will,
and My word, and My law shall bear rule in My
kingdom, saith the LORD.
24 If it does not, then it is not My kingdom, and
then are ye not My spokesmen;
25 For if it is by the wisdom of man, by the
intelligence of man, and under the direction of
man, then it is a kingdom of man, and it is not of
Me, and I will not acknowledge it, saith the Lord
God.
26 Have I not instructed you in all that you
know, and is not this kingdom organized and
directed by revelation from Me? Is it not called
the Kingdom of God?
27 If therefore it is not My kingdom, why do you
make use of My name, and invoke My authority
and My aid?
28 Is this kingdom not called,
"The Kingdom of God, and His laws, with the
Keys and Powers Thereof, and Judgment in the
Hands of His Servant Ahman Christ"?
29 And because I am kind and beneficent to all
peoples, and because I have given to man his free
agency, and have always maintained that free
agency among all peoples, and have treated all
men alike among all nations, and made the sun to
shine on the evil and the good, on the just and the
unjust, and have never controlled the consciences
of men, think ye, therefore, that I have no rights,
and will yield up all My authority to the dictates
and caprices of wicked and corrupt men?
30 Verily I say unto you, Nay.
31 Behold, Satan sought to take away the free
agency of man in the beginning, for which he
was thrust out of heaven, and has sought to
introduce the same principles upon the earth,
which principles are opposed to Me, to My
institutions, and My laws, and to the freedom, the
welfare, and happiness of man--
32 And by which principles the government of
the United States sought to deprive My people of
their free agency.
33 And because men have been under the
influence and power and dominion of Lucifer,
and because tyranny and oppression and evil
have abounded by him, and not by Me, saith the
Lord your God, shall righteousness and justice,
and judgment, and truth, and virtue, and holiness
be forever trampled under foot? --And the
principles of tyranny, oppression, and misrule,
and anarchy, deception, and fraud forever
prevail?
34 Verily I say unto you, Nay.
35 And for this cause have I introduced My
church and My kingdom, that pure and righteous
principles might be inculcated, and man by his
free agency yield a willing obedience to My law;
36 For after this testimony and the rejection
thereof, I will sweep the earth of evil doers as
with the besom of destruction;
37 For this is My right; and while man has free
agency, judgment belongs to Me, saith the LORD.
38 And I will come out of My hiding place and
vex the nations of the earth because of their
iniquities, their misrule, their tyranny, their
oppression, their corruption, their murders, their
adulteries and fornications, and all their
abominations.
39 And because My servant Joseph, whose soul
was pained because of their cruelties and
oppressions, the injustice, fraud, and corruption,
and the inhumanity of men, proclaimed himself
the advocate of human rights, the advocate of
liberty, and the friend of man;
40 And because, according to My eternal
decrees, the free agency of man should be
guaranteed to all men, I moved upon him to
introduce into My kingdom certain parties not in
My church-- for the purpose of exhibiting into
My kingdom that I would still maintain the free
agency of man, and that I hold inviolate that
principle, and will still maintain it to the end--
41 Think ye, therefore, that because they are
thus admitted to a share in My government and
My laws that they shall be permitted to break
their covenants, violate their obligations, and
reject Me and My laws and authority, and seek to
overthrow the kingdom of God, and deprive My
people who are contending for freedom, and who
shall yet maintain it, of their agency, and of My
laws?
42 Verily I say unto you, Nay.
43 They shall be admitted to the rights of
representation in the manner appointed, after
subscribing to My covenants and
commandments, and have a full and free
opportunity of presenting their views, interests,
and principles, and enjoying all the free and
rights of this council;
44 But they shall acknowledge Me and My laws
in this council, saith the Lord God;
45 For My people's rights, and immunities, and
free agency shall be acknowledged as well as
those of all other people;
46 And My laws and government shall be
sustained, or I will not acknowledge you, saith
the LORD.
47 I have invested you with the keys and power
of My kingdom, and they cannot be bartered
away to others.
48 Shall all men be free? Yes, free to do right,
free to express their sentiments and opinions, and
have a full, fair, and free representation;
49 But no man shall violate his covenants,
pervert My laws, subvert others free agency, and
trample upon Mine authority in this council,
saith the Lord your God.
50 Again I say unto you, as I said before:
Henceforth do as I shall command you, saith the
Lord your God. Even so, Amen.

John Taylor's Revelations: June 25 and 26, 1882

Revelation through John Taylor, received Sunday and Monday, June 25th and 26th, 1882 at Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, containing questions concerning the New and Everlasting Covenant of Marriage, as also Celestial Marriage and Plural Marriage, which the Church was currently practicing.  (John Taylor Papers, LDS Archives).  Holzapfel and Jones wrote that this revelation was given "just three months after U.S. president Chester Arthur signed the Edmunds Act into law on March 22, 1882.  The act began a new phase of the federal prosecution against the Church" (Holzapfel and Jones, "'John the Revelator': The Written Revelations of John Taylor", BYU Religious Studies Center, http://rsc.byu.edu/archived/champion-liberty-john-taylor/11-%E2%80%9Cjohn-revelator%E2%80%9D-written-revelations-john-taylor#_edn1). The practice of Plural Marriage was abandoned between the years 1890 and 1904:


Question: Is the law of Celestial Marriage a law
given to this nation or to the world?
2 Answer: No-- in no other sense than as the
gospel is given and in accordance with the laws
thereof. So far as it is made known unto men, it
is made know unto them as the gospel is made
known unto them, and is part of the New and
Everlasting Covenant.
3 And it is only those who receive the gospel that
are able to, or capable of, entering into this
covenant.
4 Have I not said through My servant Joseph
Smith that all kingdoms are governed by law?
And if they receive not the law of the gospel, they
cannot participate in the blessings of Celestial
marriage, which pertains to Mine elect.
5 No person or people or nation can enter into
the principle of Celestial marriage unless they
come in by Me, saith the LORD, and obey the law
of My gospel through the medium of him who is
appointed unto this power as made known unto
My people through My servant Joseph in a
Revelation on the eternity of the marriage
covenant, including the plurality of wives.
6 I have therein stated that , "all those who have
this law revealed unto them must obey the same;
for behold I reveal unto you a New and an
Everlasting Covenant; and if ye abide not that
covenant, then are ye damned; for no one can
reject this covenant and be permitted to enter
into My glory."
7 Furthermore, "And as pertaining to the New
and Everlasting Covenant, it was instituted for the
fullness of My glory; and he that receiveth a
fullness thereof must and shall abide the law, or
he shall be damned, saith the Lord God."
8 It is again written that, "all kingdoms have a
law given."
9 The Celestial kingdom, including the promise
of Eternal Life, pertains to, "the church of the
Firstborn, even of God, the holiest of all, through
Jesus Christ, His Son."
10 Therefore, such must be sanctified from all
unrighteousness, that they may be prepared for
the Celestial glory.
11 "For he who cannot abide the law of a
Celestial kingdom, cannot abide a Celestial glory;"
12 "And he who cannot abide the law of a
terrestrial kingdom cannot abide a terrestrial
glory;"
13 "And he who cannot abide the law of a
telestial kingdom cannot abide a telestial glory;
therefore, he is not meet for a kingdom of glory.
Therefore, he must abide a kingdom which is not
a kingdom of glory."
14 Each of the persons inhabiting these several
kingdoms shall be quickened by the same power
that pertains to the kingdom that they are
destined to inherit, whether Celestial, terrestrial,
or telestial; and shall receive of their respective
glories.
15 And again it is written, "And again, verily I
say unto you, that which is governed by law is
also preserved by law, and perfected and
sanctified by the same."
16 "That which breaketh a law, and abideth not
by law, but seeketh to become a law unto itself,
and willeth to abide in sin, cannot be sanctified
by law, neither by mercy, justice, nor judgment."
17 It is further written, speaking of Celestial
marriage, "And verily I say unto you, that the
conditions of this law are these: All covenants,
contracts, bonds, obligations, oaths, vows,
performances, connections, associations, or
expectations that are not made and entered into,
and sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise, of him
who is anointed, both as well for time and for all
eternity, and that too most holy, by revelation and
commandment, through the medium of Mine
anointed, whom I have appointed on the earth to
hold this power (and I have appointed unto My
servant Joseph to hold this power in the last days,
and there is never but one on the earth at a time
on whom this power and the keys of this
priesthood are conferred) are of no efficacy,
virtue, or force in and after the resurrection from
the dead; for all contracts that are not made unto
this end have an end when men are dead."
18 This law is a Celestial law, and pertains to a
Celestial kingdom. It is a New and Everlasting
Covenant, and appertains to thrones, principalities,
powers, dominions, and eternal increase in
the Celestial kingdom of God.
19 You are not now sent to proclaim this
principle to the United States, nor to the world,
nor to urge it upon them. It is not for them as a
nation or nations, only as many as accept the law
of My gospel, and are governed thereby.
20 Behold, if you were to preach this principle
unto them, and they said, we accept it, could you
then administer it unto them? Verily I say unto
you, nay.
21 Have I not said, "Behold, Mine house is a
house of order, saith the Lord God, and not a
house of confusion."
22 "Will I accept of an offering, saith the LORD,
that is not made in My name?"
23 "Or will I receive at your hands that which I
have not appointed?"
24 "And will I appointed unto you, saith the
LORD, except it be by law, even as I and My
Father ordained unto you, before the world was?"
25 "I am the LORD thy God, and I give unto you
this commandment: that no man shall come unto
the Father but by Me or by My word, which is
My law, saith the LORD."
26 "And everything that is in the world, whether
it be ordained of men, by thrones, or
principalities, or powers, or things of name,
whatsoever that may be, that are not by Me, saith
the LORD, shall be thrown down, and shall not
remain after men are dead, neither in nor after
the resurrection saith the LORD your God."
27 "For whatsoever things remain are by Me,
and whatsoever things are not by Me shall be
shaken and destroyed."
28 " Therefore, if a man marry him a wife in the
world, and he marry her not by Me nor by My
word, and he covenant with her so long as he is
in the world and she with him, their covenant
and marriage are not of force when they are
dead, and when they are out of the world;
therefore, they are not bound by any law when
they are out of the world."
29 You ask, what shall we do? Thus saith the
LORD, obey My law and seek not to become a
law unto yourselves, nor trust to outside
influences; but seek in the way appointed to the
Lord your God.
30 Ye are My spokesmen, I am your God; and as
I have before said, I now again say: Henceforth
do as I shall command you.
31 Concerning the course taken by the United
States, they have a right to reject this law
themselves, as they have a right to reject the
gospel; but it is contrary to the provisions of the
Constitution, which is the supreme law of the
land, for them to prohibit you from obeying it.
32 Therefore, abide in My law which I have
revealed unto you, saith the Lord God, and
contend for your rights by every legal and
constitutional method and in accordance with the
institutions, laws, and Constitution of the United
States.
33 Be humble, be faithful, be diligent; seek unto
Me and it shall be made know unto you from
time to time what My will is pertaining to this
matter.
34 I am the Lord your God, hearken to Me, and
obey My law, and your enemies shall be
confounded, and My kingdoms shall be
victorious.
Even so, Amen.

John Taylor's Revelations: November 19, 1877

Revelation Received through President John Taylor on Monday, November 19, 1877. (Joseph F. Smith Papers, LDS Archives), at Salt Lake City, Utah Territory.  This revelation was received shortly after the death of President Brigham Young.  Historians Richard Neitzel Holzapfel and Christopher C. Jones wrote that "The effort to settle Brigham Young’s estate was challenging because it was difficult to distinguish what property belonged to the Church in Brigham Young’s name and what property legitimately belonged to the surviving family members" (Holzapfel and Jones, "'John the Revelator': The Written Revelations of John Taylor", BYU Religious Studies Center, http://rsc.byu.edu/archived/champion-liberty-john-taylor/11-%E2%80%9Cjohn-revelator%E2%80%9D-written-revelations-john-taylor#_edn1):
 
I have been asking the LORD to show me how to adjust the property of the church held in the name of the late President Brigham Young, so as to do justice to his estate; and yet not wrong the Church, and have received the following:
2 You have asked of Me, and others of the
Twelve have asked of Me, that wisdom might be
given to you to adjust these property matters of
the church;
3 Thus saith the LORD: Be one, be united, be
honest, act upon the principles of justice and
righteousness to the living and the dead, and to
My church, and I the LORD will sustain you and
acknowledge your labors. Amen.

Mormon Theology no. 40 - Keys of the Priesthood Only in LDS Church

In this post, I will show that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only Church acknowledged by Heavenly Father as His Church.

We must always remember that Joseph Smith said, "I will give you a key that will never rust - if you will stay with the majority of the Twelve Apostles and the records of the Church, you will never be led astray." (Young Woman’s Journal, Dec. 1906, p. 543).  Therein lies the key of the subject.


Before President Joseph Smith died, he gave the Keys of the Priesthood to the Twelve Apostles, and it is they who had a right to lead the Church, simply because they had all the Keys, and all the men who formed the splinter groups never rose higher than Seventy, which office of Seventy were only Elders - not High Priests as the Twelve Apostles were.  Also, President Joseph Smith knew that the Latter-day Saints would one day go to the Rocky Mountains.  Said he, 

I prophesied that the Saints would continue to suffer much affliction and would be driven to the Rocky Mountains, many would apostatize, others would be put to death by our persecutors or lose their lives in consequence of exposure or disease, and some of you will live to go and assist in making settlements and build cities and see the Saints become a mighty people in the midst of the Rocky Mountains. (History of the Church 5:85)

Law of Witnesses
There are at least six witnesses testifying to whom the Keys of Priesthood were given.  President Brigham Young bore witness, "Joseph conferred upon our heads all the keys and powers belonging to the Apostleship which he himself held before he was taken away, and no man or set of men can get between Joseph and the Twelve" (Essentials in Church History, p. 320).

 President Wilford Woodruff said, "I bear my testimony that . . . in Nauvoo, the Prophet Joseph Smith called the Apostles together and he delivered unto them . . . all the keys and powers that God had bestowed upon him. . . . (Statement, 19 March 1897, Church Archives)"  

President John Taylor wrote, "A special conference of the Church was held in Nauvoo on the 8th [of August 1844], and it was carried without a discenting [sic] voice, that the 'Twelve' should preside over the whole Church" (Times and Seasons, 5:632, 2 September 1844).

 Elder Orson Hyde recalled, "We were in council with Brother Joseph almost every day for weeks. . . . He conducted us through every ordinance of the holy priesthood . . . and said, 'now if they kill me you have got all the keys, and all the ordinances'" (Times and Seasons, 15 Sep. 1844, p. 651). 


Elder Parley P. Pratt testified, 


This great and good man [Joseph Smith the Prophet] was led, before his death, to call the Twelve together, from time to time, and to instruct them in all things pertaining to the kingdom, ordinances, and government of God.  He often observed that he was laying the foundation, but it would remain for the Twelve to complete the building.  Said he, ‘I know not why; but for some reason I am constrained to hasten my preparations, and to confer upon the Twelve all the ordinances, keys, covenants, endowments, and sealing ordinances of the priesthood . . . for, said he, the Lord is about to lay the burden on your shoulders and let me rest awhile; and if they kill me . . . the kingdom of God will roll on, as I have now finished the work which was laid upon me, by committing to you all things for the building up of the kingdom according to the heavenly vision, and the pattern shown me from heaven.’ (“Proclamation,” Millennial Star, 5 [March 1845]: p. 151).

Lastly, President Joseph Smith testified, "I have lived until I have seen this burden, which has rested on my shoulders, rolled on to the shoulders of other men; . . . the keys of the kingdom are planted on the earth to be taken away no more for ever. . . . No matter what becomes of me" (Deseret News, Dec. 21, 1869, p. 2).  Thus we see that the LDS Church has the keys, and not any other Church.

I say boldly that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only Church God acknowledges.  I know with all the fervor of my soul that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God, and that he gave all the keys bestowed upon him to the Twelve.  I have a witness of the Holy Ghost.

The real issue lies in the prophetic calling of Joseph Smith.  If he was a prophet, what greater mission had he than to establish the Kingdom of God, never again to be thrown down?  This he did by giving the temple Endowment and the fullness of the Keys of the Priesthood (which is only found in the House of the Lord) to the Twelve.  President Brigham Young taught, "All that want to draw away a party from the church after them, let them do it if they can, but they will not prosper" (History of the Church, 7:232; also Millennial Star 25:216).

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only Church that:
1. Is acknowledged by Christ as His own (D&C 1:30-31; 115:4)
2. Was established by Joseph Smith himself, through revelation (D&C 115:4).  The only Church the Prophet was a member of was The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
3. Teaches all the doctrines Joseph Smith taught (Endowment of the Holy Priesthood, Baptism for the Dead, tithing, the Word of Wisdom, continual revelation through the President of the Church, eternal marriage, the proper mode and manner of baptism and bestowing the Gift of the Holy Ghost, temple work for the dead, the three degrees of glory, the need of the Sealing Authority, missionary work, gift of tongues, the importance of the Fall, the infinite reach of the Atonement, the age of accountability, the innocence of little children, etc.)

If a church is missing any one of the above criteria or doctrines, it is not the Church of Jesus Christ, but the church of the devil.

Also, the fact that those who broke off from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to form their own church were never sustained in an open conference by the regular membership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is further evidence of their lack of Authority. The entire Quorum of the Twelve were unanimously sustained by the membership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in an open conference (meaning, as Paul says, "this thing was not done in a corner" (Acts 26:26)).

I know what I have said is true, and that God knows it is true. God is a God of order, and had everything in order (through revelation), so that when Joseph Smith died, the Twelve could lead the Church.  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

The Murder of the Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith and His Brother Hyrum Smith in Carthage Jail

The most traumatic event in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was the murder of Joseph Smith the Prophet and Hyrum Smith the Patriarch on 27 June 1844.  It occurred at Carthage Jail in Carthage, Hancock County, Illinois.  There are many different accounts, which we will examine here.

Carthage Jail.  The off-white non brick building was added in 1850, 6 years after the murder

Speaking prior to his incarceration in Carthage Jail, Joseph Smith said (evidently knowing of his impending death), "I am going like a lamb to the slaughter; but I am calm as a summer’s morning; I have a conscience void of offense towards God, and towards all men. I shall die innocent, and it shall yet be said of me — he was murdered in cold blood. (D&C 135:4)"

The mob stormed these stairs in order to reach the bedroom where the Innocents were

 jailed.

The Nauvoo newspaper Times and Seasons had this to say in regard to the murders,  

"The guard [at Carthage Jail] was surprised by an armed Mob, of between 150 to 250, painted red, black and yellow, which surrounded the jail, forced in - poured a shower of bullets into the room where those unfortunate men were held. . . . They [Joseph and Hyrum Smith] fell as Martyrs amid this tornado of lead, each receiving four bullets! (Times and Seasons, Volume 5, Number 12, 1 July 1844)"

The original door with the bullet hole through which a bullet flew and killed Hyrum.

 Elder Willard Richards describes the event he was witness to.  Said he,

"Possibly the following events, occupied near three minutes, but I think only about two, and have penned them for the gratification of many friends.

Carthage, June 27th, 1844
A shower of musket balls were thrown up the stair way against the door of the prison in the second story, followed by many rapid footsteps.   While Generals Joseph and Hyrum Smith, Mr. Taylor, and myself, who were in the front chamber, closed the door of our room against the entry at the head of the stairs, and placed ourselves against it, there being no lock on the door and no ketch [latch] that was useable.

The door is a common panel, and as soon as we heard the feet at the stairs head, a ball was sent through the door, which passed between us, and showed that our enemies were desperadoes, and we must change our position.  Gen. Joseph Smith, Mr. Taylor, and myself sprang back to the front part of the room, and Gen. Hyrum Smith retreated two thirds across the chamber directly in front of and facing the door.

A ball was sent through the door which hit Hyrum on the side of his nose when he fell backwards extended at length without moving his feet. From the holes in his vest, (the day was warm and no one had their coats on but myself,) pantaloons, drawers and shirt, it appears evident that a ball must have been thrown from without, through the window, which entered his back on the right side and passing through lodged against his watch, which was in his right vest pocket completely pulverizing the crystal and face, tearing off the hands and mashing the whole body of the watch, at the same instant the ball from the door entered his nose.
As he struck the floor he exclaimed emphatically; "I'm a dead man."  Joseph looked towards him and responded, "O dear! Brother Hyrum!" and opening the door two or three inches with his left hand, discharged one barrel of a six shooter (pistol) at random in the entry from whence a ball grazed Hyrum's breast, and entering his throat passed into his head, while other muskets were aimed at him, and some balls hit him.

Joseph continued snapping his revolver, round the casing of the door into the space as before, three barrels of which missed fire, while Mr. Taylor with a walking stick stood by his side and knocked down the bayonets and muskets, which were constantly discharging through the door way, while I stood by him, ready to lend any assistance, with another stick, but could not come within striking distance, without going directly before the muzzle of the guns.  When the revolver failed, we had no more fire arms, and expecting an immediate rush of the mob, and the door way full of muskets half way in the room, and no hope but instant death from within: Mr. Taylor rushed into the window, which is some fifteen or twenty feet from the ground.  When his body was nearly on a balance, a ball from the door within entered his leg, and a ball from without struck his watch, a patent lever, in his vest pocket, near the left breast, and smashed it in "pie," leaving the hands standing at 5 o'clock, 16 minutes, and 26 seconds -- the force of which ball threw him back on the floor, and he rolled under the bed which stood by his side, where he lay motionless, the mob from the door continuing to fire upon him, cutting away a piece of flesh from his left hip as large as a man's hand, and were hindered only by my knocking down their muzzles with a stick; while they continued to reach their guns into the room, probably left handed, and aimed their discharge so far around as almost to reach us in the corner of the room to where we retreated and dodged, and then I re-commenced the attack with my stick again.  

Joseph attempted as the last resort, to leap the same window from whence Mr. Taylor fell, when two balls pierced him from the door, and one entered his right breast from without, and he fell outward exclaiming, "O Lord my God!"  As his feet went out of the window my head went in, the balls whistling all around.  He fell on his left side a dead man.  At this instant the cry was raised, "He's leaped the window," and the mob on the stairs and in the entry ran out.  I withdrew from the window, thinking it of no use to leap out on a hundred bayonets, then around Gen. Smith's body.  Not satisfied with this I again reached my head out of the window and watched some seconds, to see if there were any signs of life, regardless of my own, determined to see the end of him I loved; being fully satisfied, that he was dead, with a hundred men near the body and more coming round the corner of the jail, and expecting a return to our room I rushed towards the prison door, at the head of the stairs, and through the entry from whence the firing had proceeded, to learn if the doors into the prison were open.  

When near the entry, Mr. Taylor called out, "take me" I pressed my way till I found all doors unbarred, returning instantly caught Mr. Taylor under my arm, and rushed by the stairs into the dungeon, or inner prison, stretched him on the floor and covered him with a bed in such a manner, as not likely to be perceived, expecting an immediate return of the mob.  I said to Mr. Taylor, this is a hard case to lay you on the floor, but if your wounds are not fatal I want you to live to tell the story.   I expected to be shot the next moment, and stood before the door awaiting the onset. (Times and Seasons, Volume 5, Number 14, 1 August 1844)"


President John Taylor had this to say concerning Joseph Smith the Prophet:  

"Joseph Smith, the ^aProphet and ^bSeer of the Lord, has done more, ^csave Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it.  In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the ^dfulness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain.  He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord’s anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own ^eblood; and so has his brother Hyrum.  In life they were not divided, and in death they were not ^fseparated! (D&C 135:3)"


I also know that Joseph Smith was and is a prophet of God, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true and living Church on Earth, invested with the Authority to act in the name of God.  I know the Book of Mormon is true, and that Thomas S. Monson is indeed a prophet of God for our day!  I say this in the Holy Name of Jesus Christ, Amen!

LDS Church History no. 2 - The Printing Office

Printing Office next door to then-Elder John Taylor's home

The course of this serial of essays seems logical to progress from the Temple to the Printing Office, because just as the Temple is the preparatory step in preparing the Elders to preach the Gospel, even the Printing Office is the preparatory step in promulgating the printed Word.  The Printing Office was where The Wasp (edited by Elder William Smith), The Nauvoo Neighbor (edited by President John Taylor), and The Times and Seasons (the LDS Church's official paper, also edited by President Taylor) were printed.  The Wasp was printed until 1843, when The Nauvoo Neighbor replaced it until 1845.

The Nauvoo Neighbor was, according to The Encyclopedia of Mormonism, printed from 3 May 1843 through 29 October 1845 (Encyclopedia of Mormonism, p. 999).  Its chief editor was President John Taylor of the Twelve.  Archives of The Nauvoo Neighbor can be seen here.

Along with The Nauvoo Neighbor was published The Times and Seasons, the official LDS Church newspaper of the day. 

The Times and Seasons had a much longer life than did The Nauvoo Neighbor.  The Times and Seasons was published from 1839 to 15 February 1846.  It was at first edited by Don Carlos Smith and Ebenezer Robinson, but after the death of D.C. Smith in 1841, President Joseph Smith himself became chief editor, assisted by John Taylor, the latter of the two editing until the Mormon exodus in 1846.  In 1842, however, Taylor became the principle editor, assisted by Elder Willard Richards of the Twelve.  The Book of Abraham appeared serially in this paper, as well as Joseph Smith's personal history, which is now Joseph Smith-History in the Pearl of Great Price.  Also, the Wentworth Letter was published on this sheet as well. 

Times and Seaseons, Volume 5, Number 12, 1 July 1844 read, "The guard [at Carthage Jail] was surprised by an armed Mob, of between 150 to 250, painted red, black and yellow, which surrounded the jail, forced in - poured a shower of bullets into the room where those unfortunate men were held. . . . They [Joseph and Hyrum Smith] fell as Martyrs amid this tornado of lead, each receiving four bullets!"

This is a replica of the type of press that would have been used to print the Times and Seasons and the Nauvoo Neighbor.  The press originally was upstairs, but now rests on the main floor of the Printing Office.

After a paper was printed, it was hung up on the ceiling, as shown above, so the ink would dry properly.